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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mark Chance" data-source="post: 5055942" data-attributes="member: 2795">I regularly use the NPC tables in the DMG for run-of-the-mill NPCs. I'll prep a short list of important equipment. Leaders get a more thorough treatment. So, in Scenario 1, I'd probably only do full stats for the leader, using a one-page stat block. The rest would be numbers plugged into a table with some notes. I could stat the leader in about thirty minutes. The rest would take about the same amount of time.For Scenario 2, times would be shorter as a Ftr 2/Rog 5 doesn't require a spell list, which is the main slowdown for higher-level caster types. I'd start with the bugbear statblock and apply the template and classes one at a time.With Scenario 3, I'd cut-and-paste the basic marilith stat block, apply any size changes first, and then add the HD advancement. All told, I could have that done with a half hour as well. The tail attack would be a trip attempt in a 90-degree arc affecting everyone within reach.My general feeling on monster/NPC customization is that it isn't as cumbersome as many make it out to be. Most often, I use creatures out of the book, usually quite literally. I'll have the book open as a reference and track hit points, et cetera, on a notepad. To make prep easier and faster, I use a cut-and-pasteable SRD and stat block templates in an RTF document using WordPad or OpenOffice. I find these the easiest programs for quick edits.My biggest obstacle with sessions is the maps for the locations and remembering to buy beer.</blockquote>

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